Wallowbarrow Crag & the DuddonValley

from Seathwaite 

9miles 1700ft

Setting off from the village hall car park in Seathwaite

The Duddon valley always has a wonderful display of Bluebells

Wallowbarrow Crag ahead as I left the village....

....crossing Tarn Beck before....

....a little further on crossing the river Duddon

Now on the top of Wallowbarrow Crag looking down on the Newfield Inn Seathwaite

To the southeast is Stickle pike with Morecambe bay lost in the mist behind

To the Northeast is Harter fell which I intended climbing today but as it remained in cloud all day I only went as far as the bottom of the east ridge

Zooming in on Crook crag to the north with Wrynose Bottoms below Little Stand and Cold Pike in cloud behind

After descending Wallowbarrow Crag I headed north towards Harter fell still in cloud....

....and very misty Seathwaite fells

Now at the col between the Duddon valley and Eskdale looking south over Ulpha fell...

....and down Spothow gill into Eskdale

Descending through Dunnerdale forest...

Arriving at Fickle stepping stones across the river Duddon

Following the river downstream....

....and again....

.....until arriving back at Seathwaite village

The forecast for the week ahead was pretty wet so I was looking for an option of a low level walk today.

The Duddon valley never fails to be attractive in any conditions and today was no exception

 Half a Kentmere Round!

Yoke, Ill Bell & Froswick from Kentmere village, returning via Kentmere reservoir

10 miles 2800ft

Parking by St Cuthbert's church in Kentmere....

....for a couple of photos before setting off....

....up the Garburn Pass bridleway....

where I spotted these red deer well camouflaged against the dead bracken

I left the Garburn pass before the summit to take the short cut by Buck Crag with a view down the Kentmere valley

Arriving on the wide ridge leading to Yoke (fell) looking across to Low Pike on the Fairfield ridge

Now on Yoke summit 2448ft looking at Rainsborrow  Crag...

.....and  Windermere

Looking back to Yoke along the ridge from Ill Bell summit 2476ft....

....and ahead to Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag and High Street

 A view to a distant snow covered Fairfield on the way to....

.....Froswick summit 2362ft  and Thornthwaite Crag  with just a little of Ullswater seen to its left

Zooming in on Ullswater...

....as I started the descent to Kentmere reservoir

Looking down the infant river Kent to where it enters the reservoir

Passing the reservoir as I headed down the valley....

....and looked back where I'd come from

I took a short detour to wander through the old quarry workings....

.....and again....

....before sitting down back in St Cuthberts churchyard for, as last week, another very late lunch!

Another wonderful walk but only half of the 'Horse Shoe' as I had an appt to keep later in the afternoon back at home. I must return again soon and finish the other half! 

 A walk on some of the Lakeland Northern fells: Dodd, Carlside, Longside Edge & Ullock Pike  

9.5 miles 3200ft

I parked near to the Mirehouse estate and entered Dodd wood to start the climb to Dodd fell 

A well placed bench to take a break on the climb, with a view across the valley....

....and take a photo of the distinctive Causey pike

The memorial stone on Dodd summit 1647ft

Zooming in on Grisedale pike with Hopegill head to the right

Bassenthwaite lake from Dodd

After leaving the summit I descended to take the path leading to Carl Side summit

Looking back to Dodd.....

....before arriving at Carl Side summit 2448ft with the path to Skiddaw summit (but not for me today)

Looking south to Skiddaw 'Little Man'....

....and then my route ahead to Longside Edge and Ullock Pike

The path along Longside Edge with Bassenthwaite lake below

A lone walker on Ullock Pike summit 2267ft

Looking back down to Dodd with the central Lakeland fells behind....

....and straight down to St Bega's church on the side of the lake where I intended taking lunch....

.....continuing the descent 

Looking back to Ullock Pike & Longside Edge

Arriving at St Bega's church....

....and Bassenthwaite

....and again

....and a very late lunch at St Bega's church!

Finally back to the car  near the 17th century    Mirehouse which is still a family home but whose estate and gardens are open to the public.

The route along Longside Edge has always been one of my favourite walks, usually on the way to or from Skiddaw. Combining it today with Dodd & Carl Side made an excellent day's walking which I would highly recommend.